Sri Lankan banking leaders join AIA Bancassurance Summit 2025 in Beijing

Monday, 7 July 2025 05:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

From left: AIA Sri Lanka Director and Chief Partnership Distribution Officer Senaka Rajapakse, NDB Bank Director and CEO Kelum Edirisinghe, AIA Group Chief Executive and President Lee Yuan Siong, Commercial Bank of Ceylon Managing Director and CEO Sanath Manatunge, AIA Sri Lanka Director and CEO Chathuri Munaweera and DFCC Bank Director and CEO Thimal Perera

AIA Group recently hosted its annual Bancassurance Summit 2025 in Beijing, bringing together senior executives and strategic banking partners from across the Asia-Pacific region.

Held under the theme ‘Ascend Together: Igniting Growth and Innovation,’ the summit served as a platform for collaboration, thought leadership, and the advancement of bancassurance across the region. This year’s event was marked by the strong presence of a distinguished Sri Lankan delegation, underscoring the country’s growing influence and commitment to innovation in the financial services sector.

Representing Sri Lanka were five prominent leaders from the banking and insurance industries: Commercial Bank of Ceylon Managing Director and CEO Sanath Manatunge, DFCC Bank Director and CEO Thimal Perera, NDB Bank Director and CEO Kelum Edirisinghe, AIA Sri Lanka Director and CEO Chathuri Munaweera and Director and Chief Partnership Distribution Officer Senaka Rajapakse.

Their participation highlighted Sri Lanka’s strategic role in shaping the future of bancassurance and fostering regional partnerships.

The summit featured a series of high-level discussions on macroeconomic trends, customer-centric strategies, and the transformation of banking models in a digital-first world. A key highlight was the ‘CEO Panel Discussion’ titled ‘How Banks Drive Growth and Innovation.’

Commercial Bank’s Sanath Manatunge joined the panel of senior leaders from Bank Central Asia and Bank of East India to share Sri Lankan perspectives. The panel explored how financial institutions can lead transformative change through strategic partnerships, innovation, and technology-driven solutions.

Another notable feature of the summit was the ‘CEO Exclusive Session,’ which provided a unique opportunity for senior executives to engage in high-level networking and cultural exchange. Set against the backdrop of Beijing’s vibrant innovation ecosystem, this session facilitated meaningful dialogue among leaders from China, regional banks, and AIA. It reinforced the importance of collaboration and cross-border engagement in navigating the future of financial services.

The AIA Bancassurance Summit 2025 concluded with a renewed commitment to partnership-driven success.

AIA said the presence of Sri Lanka’s top banking leaders at the summit elevated the country’s profile on the regional stage while contributing valuable insights to the broader conversation on sustainable growth and innovation. Their active engagement reflected a shared vision for customer empowerment, digital transformation, and resilient financial ecosystems across Asia.

As the financial landscape continues to evolve, AIA said it reaffirms its role as a catalyst for innovation and growth, helping stakeholders across the region ascend together toward a more connected and prosperous future.

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